Archbishop Gary Beaver Requests British Government to
Review Racial and Religious Hatred Bill
Released on = October 27, 2005, 2:11 pm
Press Release Author = Old Catholic Church of Great Britain
Industry = Government
Press Release Summary = The Old Catholic Church of Great Britain has raised concerns
with the government’s Racial and Religious Hatred Bill as it is “seriously flawed”.
Press Release Body = Speaking from his office, Archbishop Gary Beaver of the Old
Catholic Church stated “we must call for a commission to explore the wider issues of
hate speech and freedom of expression” as an all-party amendment passed by 260 votes
to 111 in the House of Lords today.
In an official church response to the contentious bill, which would make incitement
to hatred on the grounds of religion a crime, Archbishop Gary says that present
public order legislation can and should be used to outlaw religious harassment and
suggests a reconsideration of present civil offences, rather than reinventing the
wheel.
The Old Catholic Church have exposed five of the “foremost difficulties” with what
has been put forward by the writers of the bill– issues of definition, legal
consistency, scope, accountability and how the law will be applied. Further concern is that the proposed bill gives unique protection to the Church of
England, from the statute. All denominations and members of faith communities that
make up the Church Universal should enjoy the same protections and rights as others
in civil society, and there should be no difference whether one is Protestant,
Catholic or Muslim.
Many of the smaller denominations have criticised the government’s intention to use
the Parliament Act to push through a law which has attracted such vast opposition
from faith and secular organisations, as well as many members of the legal
profession.
“There is no question that all faiths and minority groups face a growing level of
menace and harassment, and there needs to be lawful protection. This is exactly what
public order and civil provisions are there to provide” Said Archbishop Gary.
The Old Catholic Church of Great Britain opposes the proposed law of blasphemy on
theological grounds. Any faith is corrupted when its loyalty or defence is legally
required by the state. Archbishop Gary stated “We must be careful that we do not
unintentionally paint ourselves into a legal corner that becomes a matter of
religious oppression.”
Let us all remember that Jesus himself was tried and executed by a union of
political and religious forces who objected to his subversive message.
Web Site = http://www.oldcatholic.co.uk
Contact Details = Frimley Hse
Frimley
Surrey
Gu16 7JD
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